Merry Christmas!
Ñ Ðîæäåñòâîì Õðèñòîâûì!
 Dear Friends,
After having a brush with death last month (my wife and I were in a serious automobile accident) I once again realize what a joy it is to be a believer. As I was sitting trapped in my van moments after the accident, thinking that these might be my last minutes on earth, an incredible sense of peace seeped into my heart. As I reflect on those moments now, I marvel at God's ability to calm His children through His presence, regardless of the circumstances.
Emmanuel. God is with us. Isn't this what Christmas is all about? God being close to us. When angels proclaimed "Peace on Earth," I believe that's exactly what they meant: peace despite difficulties and suffering…peace in the midst of instability and darkness…peace based on the knowledge that He is near.
His presence, however, does more than comfort; it transforms lives. At FEBC Russian Ministries we receive thousands of testimonies every month that attest to that fact.
For example, Andrey, a former criminal and rapist, received forgiveness as gave his life to the Lord on the radio. "I feel that God is with me, in my room," he said. "It's incredible." Andrey believed that Jesus truly took his sins upon Himself, even the ugliest of them.
Or consider the story of Sergey, a businessman who fell into deep depression when he lost his business. Depressed to the point of not wanting to live, he began to listen to FEBC radio. One day he called us, saying, "In a very different way, life is beginning to make sense to me again. And the only reason it makes sense is because I let God enter my heart." When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the life of Jesus in our hearts.
Dennis, another listener, was a Jehovah's Witness, until he received a note in his mailbox: listen to FEBC radio, which he did. "One week later I knew I wasn't attending the right church," he explained. "Two weeks later I was ready to accept Jesus as my Savior. Today I know that God abides in my heart. It's this closeness, this intimacy that gives me real life, and a real faith," says Dennis.
Emmanuel. God is with us.
"Faster, faster! Cut that metal," I heard the paramedics shout as they tried to extract me from my smashed van. "It could burst into flames at any moment!" They had already removed my wife Anni from the van, which was a huge relief. Her life was saved, and now they were saving mine. I clearly remember the sound of medevac helicopter, the shiny medical equipment, the blinking lights, and the concerned voices. All those skilled people were there for one simple reason - to save our lives.
As I look back on all this, I realize that you and I are very much like those paramedics: we are in the business of saving lives, but our interest is for eternity. We are here to assist the Great Physician. People like Dennis, Sergey, and Andrey discover the truth about God only because someone else cared about their eternal souls. And they cared so much they financed a new antenna, paid for transmitter electricity bills, built a radio station, and actually talked to them during an FEBC broadcast.
God is with us for a reason. We are called to share His presence with others, to those who are dying and don't know what it means to possess everlasting peace, and to those who do not know how powerful and comforting His presence can be.
During this Christmas season my wife and I will be recovering from our accident. We are grateful for your prayers and concerns. During these weeks, though, I can't help but think about those who do not even understand the true meaning of Christmas. They have never experienced Emmanuel in their lives. This is why it's so important we explain God's longing for them. And pay for the antenna upgrades in Moscow. We still need to raise more than $7,000 to undertake these improvements. We also need $3,000 to remodel our studios in St. Petersburg; we have postponed this as much as we can. Air conditioners are also critically needed in our Moscow studios; during the summer months it is impossible to work there. This will cost an additional $4,000.
On surface these needs seem unimportant, immaterial, and almost anti-inspirational. But to bring us heavenly peace, the Word became flesh. When the spiritual and the material connect, miracles occur. If we improve the antenna, thousands of new listeners will hear the Good News in cities around Moscow. If we install air conditioners, our programmers will be comfortable enough to share their hearts that are full of contagious joy. If we complete the studio renovations, our signal will reach those who have never heard of God.
Friends, I am grateful to all of you who sacrifice much to bring the gospel of Christ to millions of Russians. On behalf of those whose lives were saved, I thank you. And on behalf of those whose lives will be saved during 2006, I ask you to continue to stand with us.
May Emmanuel be close to you during this season of joy.
Serving the Newborn King,
 Rudi Wiens
Director
FEBC Russian Ministries
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